Santa Clarita, Calif. – The hard-hitting Mustangs held out against the San Diego Christian Hawks in game five of the NAIA Regional Championships, putting up three runs to the Hawk's one in a tense winners-bracket matchup that lasted late into Friday afternoon. With the win, the Mustangs remain undefeated in NAIA tournament play. The Hawks fall to 1-1, and will play the Tabor College Bluejays tomorrow at 11:00 am. The Mustangs will play the winner of that game at 2:00 pm.

Mustang pitcher James Scott opened the game, moving back into a starting role from the bullpen. Scott threw seven complete innings, giving up just one run on four hits. Scott also struck out four and walked only one in his seventh win of the season. He was relieved in the eighth by Tommy Kister, who tossed two scoreless innings on the way to his ninth save of the year.

The Master's offense tallied up eleven hits but only scored three runs total, putting ones on the board in the first, fourth, and sixth innings. The offense was led by Jonathan Popadics, Spencer Toth, and Chris Talley. Together they combined for five hits, two runs, and two RBIs, one of which came on a two-out homer by Talley to deep center field in the fourth.

San Diego gave Jeff Gogue the start. Gogue pitched five complete innings, allowing two runs on six hits and giving up just one walk. The loss was his first of the season. He was followed by Tyler Sanborn, who tossed three innings and gave up one run. Jeremy Blare closed the game for the Hawks, pitching a perfect ninth.

Offensively, the Hawks recorded six hits but only one run; the lone point came on a single by left fielder Peter Hoyt in the bottom of the seventh. Despite the overall slow game for the team, right fielder Cade Gotta put up good numbers, going 1-2 with a double and two walks.

Tune in on Saturday at 11:00 PST and 2:00 PST for games seven and eight of the NAIA Regional Championships. Live stats and live broadcast will be available here.